Chasing Stardom: My Sister's Betrayal

My sister and I were both accepted into a prestigious university.

Yet, my father announced grimly, "The family can only afford to send one of you to university. The other must work to support the household."

Tears streaming down her face, my younger sister begged me to give up my chance to study. Left with no choice, I went off to Coastal Ridge to work.

Little did I know that shortly after starting college, my sister would fall victim to severe campus bullying, leading to her expulsion. She was quickly married off under pressure for financial reasons.

Meanwhile, I worked part-time at McDonald's, where I was scouted by a talent agent. In just six months, I became a nationwide sensation as the "Innocent Beauty."

When my sister found out, jealousy consumed her. On one of my trips home, she dragged me off a high-rise balcony.

Yet, when I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day our college acceptance letters arrived.

1

"Dad, Elliana's grades are better than mine. She deserves the chance to go to college," said Zoie Wall, my younger sister, her familiar voice pulling me from my thoughts. Watching her eagerly volunteer to leave for work, I suddenly realized-I had been reborn, and it was the day our college acceptance letters arrived again.

In my previous life, both my sister and I had exceeded expectations and gained admission to a top-tier university.

But instead of celebrating, our father's face was heavy with worry as he told us, "I can only afford to send one of you to college."

Without hesitation, Zoie insisted I give up my spot, and I was sent far away to Coastal Ridge to work. To help pay for her tuition and expenses, I left home a month earlier than planned. Before I departed, Zoie promised me she would study diligently and repay my sacrifices a thousandfold.

However, her time at college was short-lived. Drawn into a world of competition and vanity, Zoie became the target of relentless bullying. Under pressure, the school forced her to withdraw. Ashamed of her failure, our father hastily arranged her marriage, using it as a way to ease the family's financial burden, completely disregarding her desperate pleas.

Meanwhile, at Coastal Ridge, life took an unexpected turn for me. While working at McDonald's, I was discovered by a talent scout. With professional grooming, my career skyrocketed. In just six months, I became the "Innocent Beauty," a household name and rising star in the entertainment industry.

When Zoie learned of my success, resentment festered. She rushed home and, during one of my visits, dragged me off a high-rise building. Her eyes were filled with rage and venom as she clawed at my throat, refusing to let go. "We're both daughters of a poor family," she hissed. "Why do you get to be a star while I'm married off to a nobody? If I had another chance, I'd never let you win."

When I awoke again, it was the day our college acceptance letters arrived. But watching Zoie eagerly pack her bags, I knew she had been reborn as well.

Zoie believed that by choosing to work, she could replicate my trajectory and become the admired "Innocent Beauty." What she didn't realize was how grim the path to that fame truly was-how it had hollowed me out and left me scarred.

Our father, always partial to Zoie, frowned as he heard her declaration. "Zoie, what nonsense are you saying?" he snapped. Turning to me, he added with a sigh, "Elliana, Zoie's just a child. As her elder sister, you should give her this chance. Would you really let her waste years working, only to marry off without a proper future?"

Realizing he had said too much, he faltered. "Not that I'd ever let you suffer the same fate," he amended quickly.

From a young age, I had always been the obedient and selfless daughter. Despite being two years older, my education was delayed because I had to care for my younger siblings. After my mother passed away giving birth to my baby brother, the responsibility of the household fell squarely on my shoulders.

As I stood silently, deep in thought, my father played his trump card. Clutching my four-year-old brother to his chest, he choked out, "It's my fault. This useless leg of mine is nothing but a burden on this family. Perhaps it would be better if I weren't here."

My little brother, Vernon, with his chubby fists clenched, glared at me with fiery determination. "Bad sister! You're a bad sister!" he cried, pounding his small fists against me.

This time, however, Zoie didn't hide behind our father, throwing accusations my way. Instead, she stepped forward with a solemn resolve. "Dad, don't worry. I'll work and take care of the family. I can do it," she said firmly.

2

Seeing my sister's determination, my father reluctantly agreed, stuffing a wad of cash into her hands. He gave her countless reminders and stood at the door, watching her drag her suitcase away with a look of reluctance.

It wasn't until her figure disappeared from view that he turned back to me, his face dark with disapproval. "Your sister is so young, yet she has to leave home to work. And you, as her elder sister, have the nerve to take her hard-earned money to pay for your education. Don't you feel any shame?"

Vernon picked up a rotting potato from the ground and hurled it in my direction. "I want Zoie to come back and play with me! I don't want Elliana!"

The slimy, sour-smelling potato stuck to my already faded and threadbare shirt, leaving me looking even more pathetic. Yet, the determination in my eyes to pursue an education didn't waver in the slightest.

"Dad," I said firmly, "don't worry. I'll earn my own tuition from now on and won't spend another penny from this family."

At my words, my father's tightly furrowed brow relaxed slightly. Without much patience, he threw me 200 bucks before turning away and heading back to his room with my brother in his arms.

I packed my belongings and stood at the door, gazing at the house one last time. Leaving felt like a relief-no one in this family cared about me anyway.

The bus rattled along the rural backroads, taking me to the nearest city. Once there, I scanned the job postings on bulletin boards and went door-to-door, asking about summer positions.

But every place I approached either offered meager wages with no food or lodging or outright rejected me for being too frail and young.

The 200 bucks in my pocket was nearly gone, but I refused to give up. Under the blazing sun, I trudged to every shopping mall and restaurant I could find, desperately looking for a chance.

Then, as I turned another corner, I froze in my tracks. There, far from home and supposedly en route to Coastal Ridge for work, was my sister.